Local Culture, Technological Change and Riverine Fisheries Management in Kerala, South India

This article primarily examines the role of cultural components in riverine fisheries management. Components of culture, in this article, are defined as those values, norms, beliefs, sanctions, knowledge systems and technology that influence fishing practices of riverine fisherfolk. It also examines the modifications that take place to these cultural components and their implications on fisheries management. The findings signify that cultural components aid in judicious use of resources. However, the primary purpose of these components could be in ensuring fairness in distribution or in regulating conflicts among different stakeholders. The findings also reflect on the dynamics of culture. Cultural components evolve, modify or disappear due to the influence of contextual factors such as technological change. This article is based on an ethnographic fieldwork among two riverine fishing communities along the Pamba–Achankovil river basin in Kerala, India. Interview guides and focused group discussion are the primary tools of data collection.